Matt Baker climbs pylon in Vale of Glamorgan for new show
Matt Baker, best known for presenting Countryfile and Blue Peter, scaled the structure near Aberthaw as part of the final episode of his More4 series, Matt Baker's British Isles.
The episode, which aired on Tuesday, June 24, featured Mr Baker working alongside National Grid engineers as they carried out essential upgrades to transmission pylons on the South Wales coast.
Gareth Davies, an overhead line engineer who mentored Mr Baker during the climb, said: "It was great to show Matt how our overhead lines teams operate, and talk him through what's involved.
"We're proud of the work we do to keep power flowing safely around Wales and beyond, and hopefully, viewers of the show will be interested to learn what we do and how we do it.
"We're always looking to bring in new talent to our overhead lines teams across the country.
"Hopefully, this will encourage people to look to these roles as a career.
"It's rewarding work, and there aren't many offices with such a good view."
Before the climb, Mr Baker completed safety training at National Grid's centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire, and a familiarisation climb on a de-energised pylon.
He then joined the team in South Wales to observe the replacement of ceramic insulators with lighter polymeric versions.
The upgrade work forms part of National Grid's wider investment plans.
The company is planning to invest £35 billion in its transmission network across Wales and England between 2026 and 2031.
The investment aims to support growing demand from data centres, gigafactories, and new electricity generation sources such as wind and solar.
The National Grid team has since completed upgrades along the full route from Aberthaw to Cilfynydd substation, helping to futureproof the energy network in the region.
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Matt Baker climbs pylon in Vale of Glamorgan for new show
Matt Baker, best known for presenting Countryfile and Blue Peter, scaled the structure near Aberthaw as part of the final episode of his More4 series, Matt Baker's British Isles. The episode, which aired on Tuesday, June 24, featured Mr Baker working alongside National Grid engineers as they carried out essential upgrades to transmission pylons on the South Wales coast. Gareth Davies, an overhead line engineer who mentored Mr Baker during the climb, said: "It was great to show Matt how our overhead lines teams operate, and talk him through what's involved. "We're proud of the work we do to keep power flowing safely around Wales and beyond, and hopefully, viewers of the show will be interested to learn what we do and how we do it. "We're always looking to bring in new talent to our overhead lines teams across the country. "Hopefully, this will encourage people to look to these roles as a career. "It's rewarding work, and there aren't many offices with such a good view." Before the climb, Mr Baker completed safety training at National Grid's centre in Eakring, Nottinghamshire, and a familiarisation climb on a de-energised pylon. He then joined the team in South Wales to observe the replacement of ceramic insulators with lighter polymeric versions. The upgrade work forms part of National Grid's wider investment plans. The company is planning to invest £35 billion in its transmission network across Wales and England between 2026 and 2031. The investment aims to support growing demand from data centres, gigafactories, and new electricity generation sources such as wind and solar. The National Grid team has since completed upgrades along the full route from Aberthaw to Cilfynydd substation, helping to futureproof the energy network in the region.
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He lived in a tiny kitchen-bedsit set-up and the rest of the house looked frozen in time: board games mid-play, stuffed animals, pressed butterflies — it was extraordinary. My first long-haul trip was to the Sri Lankan capital Colombo in 1984. I was so excited that I didn't sleep on the flight, then I had just 90 minutes after landing before interviewing the prime minister. I fell asleep on arrival in my room and woke up feeling like my head was filled with Polyfilla. John and I adored Japan and went there four times. Every time we'd start in Tokyo then visit different places. On our last trip there, in 2017, we walked the Kiso Valley, between Kyoto and Tokyo. It was breathtaking, but not the flat — like much of the terrain — and disused railway track I'd imagined. We stayed in a ryokan — traditional inns where dinner is served at 6pm and there's nothing to do afterwards. It's hard to eat badly in Japan, though sushi and sashimi are more of a dinner thing; lunch is mostly noodle-based. In Kyoto we stayed at the Screen, a sweet little hotel. It's a university city so everyone rides bikes and the skyline isn't as intense as that of Tokyo. We went to our first onsen — the single-sex, communal, naked bathing in hot springs — on an island off Hiroshima. I had to return John's passport after he died and it was so hard; all those memories of the trips we'd taken together. Sophie actually came with us on our honeymoon, to Bali in 1988. We left Jack as he was coming up to a year and John's mum looked after him, but I don't think it occurred to us not to bring Sophie, so thank you, John. We had a lovely time. • 14 of the best places to visit in Japan John and I spent lots of time in Italy too. Sophie has a house in Puglia, where we've holidayed the last four Augusts. 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